Switch control mechanism



July 31, 1945. BALL 2,380,494

SWITCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 24, 1940 IN VENTOR w, yi fl A TTORN E Y5.

Patented July 31, 1945 SWITCH CONTROL MECHANISM Thomas M. Ball, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Original application August 24, 1940, Serial No.

354,055. Divided and this application August 7, 1941, Serial No. 405,767

11 Claims.

This invention relates to switch control mechanisms and refers more particularly to switch mechanism adapted for control by engine intake pressure variation, this application being a division of my copending application Serial No. 354,055, flied August 24, 1940.

One object of my invention is to provide an electrical switch controlled in an improved and simplified manner in response to predetermined speed of an engine or equivalent motor vehicle speed in a predetermined drive ratio.

Another object is to provide an improved and simplified governor effect for switch mechanism by utilizing engine intake pressure variation.

A further object is to provide a novel governor effect, as aforesaid, which wilLiunction at predetermined amount or position of engine throttle opening under control of engine intake pressure so arranged as to iuncton independently of the load on the engine.

Another object is to provide an improved switch control in which the electric circuit is controlled by a single switch which is adapted to be overruled by the engine intake pressure. The single switch mechanism is adapted for operation by the engine throttle actuating mechanism, or other control, and is under control of the intake pressure so that the latter will render the single switch mechanism either eflective or ineflective to control the circuit means by operation of the engine throttle actuating mechanism or other control which may be employed.

Further objects and advantages oi my invention will be more apparent as this specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational somewhat diagrammatic view of a motor vehicle power plant illustrating my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged somewhat diagrammatic view of my switch control mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modified arrangement of operating linkage.

While my invention may be employed in conjunction with various types and arrangements of mechanisms and devices, I have illustrated the principles of my invention in connection with a motor vehicle a portion of which is shown in Fig. 1 having the internal combustion engine A for driving the vehicle through any suitable drive transmitting and speed ratio changing mechanism in casings B and C.

I have illustrated my switch control mechanism {or iunctioning in conjunction with the throttle control mechanism or the engine. By preference the arrangement is such that the accelerator pedal in moving to a predetermined position in its throttle-opening direction exercises a controlling effect on the switch mechanism, as when the accelerator pedalis brought to its fully depressed condition corresponding to approximately fully open position of the throttle valve. The gain in power delivered by the engine'during the last part of the throttle opening movement is so slight that ordinaril this range may be utilized for the switch control without'sacrincing car performance where it is desired to eiiect the switch control under conditions 01' maximum throttle opening. However, as it may be desired to provided distinct switch control range for the accelerator pedal, in addition to its normal throttle-moving range, I have made provision so that my invention is equally well adapted to either arrangement and may even, if desired, be arranged ior switch control at any accelerator pedal or throttle position less than that aforesaid.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 the altcelerator pedal it is yieldingly urged in its throttle closing position of release by a spring I I. The pedal is operably connected by linkage II with the lever i3 fixed to shaft H which carries the throttle valve iii positioned in manifold downdraft riser it between the carburetor l1 and manifold distributing branches ll leading to the various cylinders of the engine. At the top air inlet end oi the riser is the usual air cleaner ll. That part or the intake system which extends above valve It may be referred to as the atmospheric side or the throttle valve while the parts below the valve extending to the engine may be referred to as the engine side of the throttle valve.

The vacuum control comprises a vacuum operated piston 20 which carries a conductor 2| pivoted at 22 to a plunger 23 upwardly slidable in piston 20 but normally urged downwardly therefrom by a spring 24. This arrangement allows the conductor II a certain amount of movement.

independentl or piston II in order to seat on the conductor pieces 2! and ll of a switch it. The conductor piece 25 is nxed and piece 2| comprises a plunger urged to the right out of contact with conductor 2| by a spring 21. The right end of this plunger is adapted for engagement and operation by the end 28 of a lever 29 fixed to he throttle shai't H, the lever end It is arranged to engage the plunger 28 when the accelerator pedal on throttle opening movement reaches the position Hi. When the accelerator pedal is further depressed to position ll. plunger 2. slides to the an. by action 0! lever end as. to cause some a to close as will be presentb apparent.

Associated with the switch E is any sultnhlc electrical circuit system desired to be controlled as the switch under predetermined desired conditions oi throttle opening and car orengine speed.

' I have illustrated a portion of this electrical circuit at D comprising ground It thence through conduotors it and Ii to terminal ll and conductor lead OI to any desired electrical control to complete the circuit. The switch I is under control or the intake system of the engine according to predetermined desired condition; oi engine and car {age in conjunction with spring It which may be aalight a desiredto insure a constant engaging pressure of conductor ii on terminals II and It. The conductor Il may tilt slightly when plunger II is retracted as in Fig. 2 but when the plunger is operated to the left then any such tilt is relieved. the tilt insuring a quick positive contact.

In order to expedite engagement of plunger It beneath conductor ii, the ieit end oi plunger II is chamfered and the edge of the conductor is rounded as illustrated. In Fig. 2 the contact element Ii is free both from all loads of piston It and also from the pedal thrust imparted at lever end II.

In order to magnify the effect 01' the vacuum in riser II and minimise the elite of piston It, while at the same'time utilizing structure already used conventionally, andfor other practical considerations, I utilise the conventional carburetor ven-.

turi II in down draft riser it, the cylinder 32 being open by a passage II to the throat of the venturi.

Cylinder I thus communicates with the engine intake system at a point between throttle valve II and the atmosphere rather than between the throttle valve II and the engine A so that, for a liven throttle opening, the same weight or air will always flow through the carburetor venturi at a given speed of the engine or car in any given drive ratio. regardless of load and other factors. Cylinder I is thus open to the suction in the intake riser at a point anterior to the throttle valve ll rather than posterior to the throttle valve. For simplicity of disclosure I have not illustrated the gasoline supp y let at the carburetor venturi throat as the same is well known. Such arrangement provides a governor control on the system D at switch I of great accuracy and simplicity ofoperation.

m the illustrated arrangement. the driver endeavors to control circuit D by closing switch E always by manipulating the throttle valve II to the same position, approximately wide open throttie in this instance, because at such time the switch I will be closed it piston II is in its Fig- 2 lowered position. Thus whether or not the circuit D will be closed between lead II and ground I, when the accelerator pedal II is iully depressed. will depend entirely on the engine or car speed at such time. If the speed is above the desired predetermined value, determined largely 1 by the weight of piston it along with the force of spring 88 and diameter ofcylinder II, then the vacuum at the venturi raises piston It and the accuses conductor is alscraiasdsothat switchlcan not be closed until piston ll lowers although M lowering of the piston may thereupon enact closing oi the circuit provided that plunger ll occupies its position II at such times. Assuming piston 20 to be lowered. the condition of vacuum being such as to allow this condition. then conductor Ii rests on terminal II. when lever and II is actuated to slide plunger II to the left. this plunger contacts with conductor II as at. II and thereby establishes circuit D from ground I to lead I In the Fig. 3 modification. the switch 82 is not closed when the throttle valve on opening reaches wide open position but in response to movement of the accelerator pedar il beyond its wide open throttle position Ill through a secondary range o! movement to position Ill" at which time the lever end portion II oi a lever It has been moved to the leit of its Fig. 8 position suiliciently to cause plunger It to close switch 2: provided, of course. that piston 20 is down. The beds] It is now connected through linkage I! to the bellcrank lever arm ti loose on the valve shaft it. lever, It being the other arm of the bell-crank. Fixed to shaft !4 is a lever 42 having a projection II urged into continuous contact with lever 4| by a spring 44 acting between levers ti and H. A stop 45 engages lever l! at fully open throttle.

when pedal ID is depressed to position Hi the throttle valve I! will be fully open, as at I l in Fig. 2. the spring 44 causing lever 42 to follow the movement of lever 4i and pedal It. At this time the lever end 28 is in its Fig. 3 position ready to operate plunger 26 to the left. As pedal i0 is further depressed to the overtravel position It",

stop 45 holds lever 42 at wide open throttle position while spring 44 yields to allow lever to to close switch E unless, Just as in Fig. 2. piston 20 is raised to move conductor 2| out of the path of plunger 28. The Fig. 3 switch control system operates exactly as described for Fig. 2 except, of course. for the overtravel iunction of the accelerator pedal as noted above.

In Figs. 2 and 3 it will be noted that whenever the driver seeks to change the normal condition 0! switch E. the throttle valve II is moved to a predetermined position so that the vacuum device will, in effect. then operate as a fixed function of engine speed and hence car speed in any predetermined drive ratio. If desired, the ormal condition of switch E may be changed at less than approximately wide open throttle. Furthermore, by substituting different piston springs for the vacuum operated piston the illustrated device may be caused to respond to any desired engine or car speed.

In my specification and claims I use the term venturl in a broad sense. This device. as well known, increases the velocity and reduces the pressure of the fluid at the Venturi throat. Theelectricalcircult means at switch E. In other words the Venniri control renders the switch I:

either efiective or ineflective to control opening switch closing relationship of said members; it and closing of the circuit means. piston operably connected to said third member I claim: a and adapted for movementirom a first position 1; In a switch control mechanism; a switch to a second position thereof for moving said third comprising a-relatively stationarily mounted first 5 member from its said first position to its said conductor switch member, s. second conductor second position, said third member when in its switch-.membermovable from'a first position to a said. second position being disposed out or con. Second mu im eg-gnd ,thgrdeonducter 'tacting relationship with at least one'oi the other switch member; Mu ;;m gmy m w in moved between its said first and secdnd positions s mmifl n 'm m g dg thereby to prevent switch closing relationship of adapted .to, be ,engagedlby-fsaidisecondlrnembe d s-1' ne ie h n 1111- intake syswhen the latter is'moved fromfitssaid, first'posi v vided; with athrottle valve torcontrolling tion to its" second podtion thereby 0t establis F from the atm the'engmei' m closingrrelauonsmp f a m g; a means for adjusting said throttle valve, means'for piston b y connemd k third memb, moving said second member'by saidthrottle adand adapted for movement from a'first position; lusting u means utilizing Pressure t a second position th f for m g Said d-{' iation in said intake. system at the atmospheric member f its Said fi t position w J side, of said throttle valve iormovlng-said piston second position, said third member wherr in its $13 2 said i W Wi l m said second position being disposed outof contacting relationship with at least one of the other In switch control mechanism; switch 0f said members when Sam second member is comprising arelatively stationarily mounted first moved between its said first and second positions conductor switch member I a second conduct th b t M t switch member movable from a flrstposition to fii g gg g gg g i gfizgifiggfis gg g a'second' pcsltion'thereot, and a third conductor provided with a throttle. valve for controlling air Switch member movable from first position to new from the atmosphere to the engine; and second position, said third member when in its means utilizing pressure variation in said intake saga i position g g first member and system at the atmospheric side of said throttle to g y d second member, valve for moving said pistonfrom its said first when the latter is moved from its said first posipositiontoits Said second position. 3 tion to its second position thereby to establish 2. In a switch control mechanism for elect ic switch closing relationship of Said members; circuit means. a relatively stationarily mounted plston operably connected to Said third member mistlelecmcal terminal! a Second electrical 5 and adapted tor movement from a first position mfiml movable relative to Said first terminal fmm to a second'positicn thereof for moving said third 2. first position to a second position. an electrical member m its said first position to said conductor movable from a first position toa secsecond i l m thhfd member when in its 0nd position, said conductor when in its said first said second positmn 199mg disposed out or. position being so disposed as to electrically '40 tacting relationship with at least once! the othor nect said terminals when said second terminal is of Said i when Said Second member 15 i biezmmamst position toa* oi?saidmariners when said second member is moved to its said Second position; isaidconductolr moved between its said first and second positions when in its said second position being disposed thereby to prevent switch closing relationship 01 out of electrically connecting relationship with Said members; a englneuhavinsa carburetor said terminals when said second, terminal is Venmfl? and w utilizing Pressute Variation moved to its said second position, means for movat said ventuli moving i p ston from its ing i second t i m an engine having an said first position to its said second position.

take system, and means responsive t pressure 6. In a switch control mechanism for electric v ri tio i a nt k ystem for moving Said circuit means, a relatively stationarily mounted conductor, first electrical terminal, a second electrical ten- 3. In a switch control mechanism for electric minal movable relative to said first terminal from circuit means, a relatively stationary electrical I a first position to a second position, an electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal movable conductor movable from a first position to a secfrom a first position toward said stationary terend position, said conductor when in its said first minal into a second position free from contact position being so disposed as to electrically conwith said stationary terminal, an electrical connect said terminals when said second terminal ductor movable from a second position of electriis moved to its said second position, said conductor cal disconnection between said terminals to a first when in its said second position being disposed out position providing electrical connection between of electrically connecting relationship with said said terminals when said movable terminal is in terminals whnsaid second terminal is moved its said second position, means for moving said to its said second position, an engine having an second terminal, an engine having an intake sysintake system provided with a throttle valve for tem, and means responsive to pressure variation controlling air fiow from the atmosphere to the in said intake system for moving said conductor. engine, means for adjusting said throttle valve,

4. In a switch control mechanism; a switch means for moving said second member'bysald p sing a relatively stati n rily mounted first throttle adjusting means, and means utilizing conductor switc mem er, a Sec nd Conductor pressure variation in said intake system at the switch member movable from a first position to a atmospheric side of said throttle valve for moving second position thereof, and a third conductor said conductor. switch member movable from a first position to a 7 7. In a switch control mechanism for electric second position, said third member when in its circuit means, a relatively stationarily mounted said first position engaging said first member and first electrical terminal, a second electrical ter- I adapted to be engaged by said second member minal movable relative to said first terminal from when the latter is moved from its said first posia first position to a second position, an electrical tion to its second position thereby to establish 7 conductor movable from a first position to a second position, said conductor when in its said first position being so disposed as to electrically connect said terminals when said second terminal is moved to its said second position, said conductor when in its said second position being disposed out of electrically connecting relationship with said terminals when said second terminal is moved to its said second position, means for moving said second terminal, an engine having a carburetor venturi. and means utilizing pressure variation at said venturi for moving said conductor.

8. In a switch control mechanism for electric circuit means, a relatively stationary electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal movable from a first position toward said stationary terminal into a second position free from contact with said stationary terminal, an electrical conductor movable from a second position of electrical disconnection between said terminals to a first position providing electrical connection between said terminals when said movable terminal is in its said second position, an engine having an intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air fiow from the atmosphere to the engine, means for adjusting said throttle valve, means for moving said second member by said throttle adjusting means, and means utilizing pressure variation in said intake system at the atmospheric side of said throttle valve for moving said conductor.

9. In a switch control mechanism for electric circuit means, a relatively stationary electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal movable from a first position toward said stationary terminal into a second position free from contact with said stationary terminal, an electrical conductor movable from a second position of electrical disconnection between said terminals to a first position providing electrical connection between said terminals when said movable terminal is in its said second position, means for moving said second terminal, an engine having a carburetor venturi, and means utilizing pressure variation at said venturi for moving said conductor.

10. In a switch control mechanism for electric circuit means, a relatively stationary electrical contact, a second electrical contact movable relative to said stationary contact between first and second positions thereof, means biasing said second contact toward one of its said positions, means for moving said second contact toward the other of its said positions, a conductor member displaceable between two positions thereof in one of which positions of displacement said member provides electrical connection between said contacts when said second contact is in only one of its said positions and in the other of which positions of displacement said member is out of electrical connection with at least one of said contacts when said second contact is in each of its said positions, an engine having an intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air fiow from the atmosphere to the engine, and means utilizing pressure variation in said intake system at the atmospheric side of said throttle valve for displacing said conductor member.

11. In a switch control mechanism for electric circuit means, a relatively stationary electrical contact, a second electrical contact movable relative to said stationary contact between first and second positions thereof, means biasing said second contact toward one of its said positions, means for moving said second contact toward the other of its said positions, a conductor member movable from a position thereof at all times free from electrical connection with at least one of said contacts to another position thereof electrically bridging said contacts when said second contact is in one of its said positions, a piston operably associated with said conductor member for effecting movement thereof, an engine having an intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air fiow from the atmosphere to the engine, and means utilizing pressure variation in said intake system at the atmospheric side of said throttle valve for moving said piston.

THOMAS M. BALL. 

